((Chapter 6))
Christian awoke startled, not knowing where he was momentarily. The he turned and saw Satine by his side. The smile returned to Christian's face immediately, all the memories rushing back to him. He turned on his side and laid down again to watch her sleep. Her red hair silhouetted her face, her breathing deep and slow. He softly traced her lips with his finger. Satine suddenly slapped his hand away and sat up, looking around. She looked at him and began to giggle, rubbing her mouth with her hand. Christian was pretending to pout, rubbing his hand.
"Was that you?" She began to laugh loudly. "I thought it was a spider or something, it was such a light tickle." She took his injured hand in her own and brought it to her lips. "I'm sorry, did I hurt you?" She kissed his hand almost as lightly as he had touched her lips. Christian sat up, still pouting.
"In your rapid attack your hand caught me here too…" Christian pointed to his cheek, half smiling. Satine giggled, leaning over to kiss his cheek. As she began to pull away, Christian whimpered. Satine laughed and looked at him.
"Anywhere else?" She said slyly. Christian nodded yes and pointed to his lips. She leaned towards him, her delicate kiss lasting only seconds. She moved out of his grasp before he could pull her back into bed.
"I should get dressed, and then you should take me to breakfast…I'm starving!" Satine moved behind her dressing screen after blowing a kiss to Christian. Christian flopped back down onto the bed.
"Or I could go get you breakfast and come back here. We could spend the day in bed, talking." Christian smiled to himself.
"And risk being called away for an emergency rehearsal? Never." Satine stepped out into the room wearing only her undergarments. She had her corset on, laced only half way up the back. She turned to him and smiled over her shoulder. "Some help sir?" Christian stood and walked over to her, almost too afraid that he'd make the laces too tight. He took the ribbons in his fingers and threaded them through. Satine told him if it needed to be tighter or more loose. As he finished he slid his fingers over her soft back along the seams. He leaned forward and kissed her shoulder, his hands circling her waist. Satine giggled and pushed him away, returning to her dressing area.
"Anything else you need help with?" He called after her, turning to put his shoes on.
"Not at the moment, but later…" Satine spoke low, seductively, peeking around the screen. "perhaps…" Christian blushed at the tone in her voice as he bent over to tie his shoes. He began to put on his jacket, but decided he'd look silly walking around in a tux all day. Moments later, Satine walked out into the room, a long lavender dress wrapped around her delicate frame. She twirled in front of Christian, smiling gloriously.
"Do you like?" Christian nodded, moving towards her, his arms wrapping around her waist.
"Very much." He looked into her eyes, feeling so lucky to be holding her. He kissed her once, twice…Satine sighed and wrapped her arms around Christian, vowing to never let him go.
"Let's fly away" She whispered in his ear. Christian nodded and let her lead him out. They carefully crept through the courtyard, not wanting to be seen. When they had reached the street, Satine twirled around for joy. She led Christian to a bakery where they ordered fresh bread for breakfast. They walked for most of the morning, out of Montmartre and into Paris. Stopping for lunch at a café, they watched the world pass them by as they held hands and talked. The couple moved into the park after they had finished their lunch, finding the shade of a tree to sit under. Satine leaning against the trunk as Christian sat across from her, gazing at her face. They spoke of art and music, the wonderful day and the opening of the play. Christian had worried at the start of the day that he might slip and talk about something from the future, but he found it easy to forget about it completely. He was where he belonged, where he needed to be. As the sun began it's decent, Satine and Christian linked arms and took a carriage ride back to Monmartre. Satine asked to see Christians flat and he reluctantly agreed, admitting it wasn't much. She insisted though, so he led her through the lobby and up the stairs. The walked through the hall, holding hands, whispering to each other. Approaching the door, Christian saw a note.
"Another woman?" Satine giggled as Christian picked up the paper. He reached out to tickle her and she backed away, chuckling. He opened the note, reading it aloud.
"We are having supper on the roof if you care to join - Toulouse." Christian felt instantly guilty for missing the party. Satine noticed the change in his mood and ran her hand down his arm.
"We will join them tomorrow, they will understand." She leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. Christian smiled softly, nodding in agreement. He opened his room, letting her in. The sinking sun cast warm red shadows on the wall, making the room look as if on fire. She walked to his bed, setting her purse down. Christian closed the door softly and watched her move from the bed, to the chair, touching it's soft velvet, then to the window. She looked out at the Moulin Rouge, over to her elephant. Christian moved up behind her, wrapping his arms around her. She moved her arms around his, holding him tightly to her. She looked up at the sky, the colors moving across the clouds. Smiling she turned, looking into Christian's eyes.
"I love this view, looking in instead of looking out. Thank you for a wonderful day." Christian smiled back at her.
"Thank you, it was your idea! I wanted to spend all day in bed remember?" Satine smiled slyly at him.
"I'm sure that would've been just as wonderful." She turned again, leaning back onto him, sighing contently. "Anytime that I'm with you will be wonderful."
"Then I'll be by your side forever." Christian whispered into her ear as the last rays of the sun slid behind the buildings.
Satine turned and kissed him deeply, her arms holding him tight. He chuckled as he picked her up, kissing her still. He set her down softly at the foot of the bed, his fingers already working at the buttons on the back of her dress. She moaned her approval softly as she kissed his cheek, his ear, her own fingers undoing the buttons on his shirt. Christian sucked in his breath sharply as Satine slid her hands along his chest, moving the shirt off his shoulders and onto the floor. She kissed him harder now, her tongue playing with his. Her hands slid down, reaching the waistband of his pants. He growled, frustrated with the little buttons on her dress. He pulled away from her, the fire behind his eyes burning into Satine. He whirled her around as she laughed and he began to undo her buttons with more ease. As he finished, Satine began to turn towards him, but he held her fast. He slowly slid the dress off of he shoulders, his fingers moving over her skin so lightly that she shivered. He kissed her back as the dress fell down the floor. Satine tried in vain to turn again, but Christian's fingers hooked into her petticoat and slid them down until they fell. He moved his hands lazily back up her legs, over her hips, up her sides and around to the laces on her corset. Satine bit her lip, holding back a moan.
"I hope this is easier to get off that it was to put on." Christian chuckled, untying the bow he had made earlier.
"I promise," Satine answered, shivering again. "It will be much easier." With only a few pulls the corset was undone. Christian drew his hand down the newly exposed skin, soft and warm. Satine shook, his touch like electricity.
"Are you cold?" Christian asked, concerned. Satine turned, letting the corset drop between them. She stood, with only her lower body still sparsely covered, and smiled at Christian's expression. He was like no other, making her feel so beautiful. She knew that she was the only one he would ever need, and he would be the same for her. She stepped forward, closing the small space between them, her hand undoing his pants and sliding them down.
"I'm sure I won't be cold much longer." Satine spoke, her voice nervous, she felt like this was the first time, there had never been anyone else. Christian pulled her close, kissing her, his passions taking over. They moved onto the bed and into each others arms, the world vanishing around them.
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"Satine…" Christian rolled over onto his back, feeling the emptiness of the room as he woke. "Satine?" Christian sat up in bed, relieved that he was still in his flat. He looked down where Satine should have been, but saw only a note in her place. He unfolded it, looking down at the fancy, feminine writing.
"My heart used to ache every hour of every day. But now that I have found you, the pain has gone away." Christian's eyes became damp as he traced his finger over the words she had written. They were almost the same as he had first seen…he stopped himself, not daring to even think of the future, or as it was, his past now. " I stole your idea and have gone to get breakfast so that we can be in bed until the opening tonight. I love you. Satine." Opening night? Had that much time past? Christian grew worried, a dark cloud moving over his memories. He knew something happened tonight other than the premiere, something terrible, but he couldn't remember. But perhaps that was ok, he was not supposed to change the past, so it was alright that he couldn't remember. He told himself he would be cautious tonight, keeping alert and that seemed to calm his fears a little. Christian could hear someone approaching his room and his thoughts shifted back to Satine. He slid quietly off the bed, wrapping a blanket around his body. He stood in front of the door, dropping the blanket, standing naked, waiting for Satine to open the door. The handle turned and the door creaked open.
"Christian? Oh MY!" Toulouse blushed as he turned around, Christian scrambling for his blanket. He heard Satine's laughter from out in the hall and he dove into his closet, searching for a pair of trousers.
"Sorry my love, I invited Toulouse to breakfast," Satine announced as she walked in, setting some bread and jam on the table, "I told him how sorry you were that we missed his dinner last night, but I didn't think you'd be…um…up so soon." Christian walked out of the closet, wearing a pair of slacks, his shirt buttoned up wrong. Toulouse still stood out in the hall, waiting for a signal that everything was ok. Satine motioned for him to come in as she walked over to Christian, undoing his buttons and re-buttoning them correctly. Christian was a deep shade of red.
"Sorry Toulouse…I uh…well I obviously didn't think it was you!" Satine chuckled as Christian blurted out his apology. Toulouse had busied himself by cutting the bread. He didn't look up at Christian as he replied, trying not to burst out in laughter.
"Quite all right Christian, Quite all right."
Breakfast continued, Toulouse's friends joining them. The subject turned to the upcoming opening of the play, how excited they all were to be apart of history. Satine simply smiled and sat close to Christian, her hand moving from his leg to his hand, squeezing his fingers occasionally. The group of Bohemians invited Satine and Christian out for the afternoon but Satine answered quickly.
"I was promised a day of relaxation and seclusion. I'm not letting you ruin that." She moved her hand back to Christian's knee. Christian only smiled and nodded in agreement. Toulouse's smile widened as he looked at the two lovers, so happy. He stood and began to push his friends out of the room, insisting that they needed to hurry. He said good bye and winked as he closed the door, leaving Christian and Satine alone. Satine began to laugh as she stood, moving to the window.
"What were you thinking earlier? Greeting me like that?" Christian stood and moved towards her, blushing slightly.
"I wanted to surprise you. I think I succeeded." Satine laughed loudly as she began backing away from him.
"Yes you did…" Christian suddenly reached for her and she slipped away, laughing as he chased her around the small apartment. "…You probably took 10 years off of Toulouse's life too…" Satine shouted, grabbing a pillow, swinging it at Christian. He grabbed the other, missing her shoulder with his lunge. They knocked each other with the pillows until feathers filled the air and Christian managed to grab Satine's away from her. He pulled her close, kissing her deeply, the feathers falling on their bodies. The kiss broke and they stared into each others eyes, smiling and chuckling, regaining their breath.
"I guess we know what we will be doing the rest of the day." Satine raised her eyebrows, waiting for the answer. "Filling up my pillows!" Christian said in mock anger. Satine tried to copy the expression on his face, scrunching hers in to a contorted anger. Christian tried to hold back laughter as she continued to change her face. He loved her completely, there were no doubts in his mind. He reached for her face, smoothing out the lines and funny wrinkles. Satine chuckled as she relaxed her face, closing her eyes, relishing the feel of his touch.
"Marry me" Christian spoke softly. Satine's eyes flew open, a shocked look on her face.
"Oh Christian, please don't ask me now…not now." She turned away from him, walking out onto the landing that overlooked the street below. Christian let her go, following after her moments later. He lightly touched her shoulders with his hands, running them down her arms.
"I'm sorry, It just felt right to ask." Christian's voice was steady, but he was hurt that she hadn't given him the answer he had expected.
"It's just…I am still getting used to us, the suddenness of our meeting, the way I am entirely," Satine turned to look at him, "completely in love with you. But have faith in that love for now please, and ask me again? After we have been "us" awhile longer?" She leaned forward kissing him on his nose. Christian chuckled, embracing her tightly.
"I will ask again and again, as often or as little as you want. As long as I have your love, until the end of time." Satine hugged him back, a tear running down her cheek.
"You do Christian," She whispered, "until my dying day."
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The rest of the day passed slowly, they picked up the apartment, read to each other, danced, talked. Christian lay on the bed, reading, drifting off to sleep, as Satine sat at the window, drawing a woman down below. She had once been a performer at the Moulin Rouge, but as she became older, she was no longer needed. She now called the sidewalk her home, Satine had always been aware of her there. As she sketched the rags that the old woman wore she wondered how many young girls would be lured in by the promise of a warm meal only to be turned out years later. She should do something, her and Christian could come up with a way to help the innocents from all that pain. Wanting to shake the emotion welling up, she looked at the overhang of the window. There was a small silver hook there, a perfect place to hang her birdcage.
"Christian, don't you think…" But all she heard was a soft snore. She stood, looking at her love, sleeping with a book across his chest. She moved to the table where his watch lay and looked at the time. Soon she would have to go and get ready for the play, soon…
She walked over tot eh bed and sat down next to him.
"Christian…come on silly, wake up…It's almost time to go and you decide to take a nap?" A soft voice called him from sleep, a warm hand sliding down his cheek.
"Christian…my love…wake up." Christian smiled and slowly opened his eyes. Satine was sitting before him, her eyes looking into his. She giggled and leaned down, kissing his lips. He responded by kissing her back, wishing for a thousand more. His hands moved to hold her, sliding up her back, playing with her hair. The kiss deepened, her scent filled his lungs and he never wanted to let go. She was the one to release him and sit up.
"You keep kissing me like that and we'll miss opening night." She told him breathlessly.
"Wouldn't bother me." He answered, unsure of his voice. He was having a strange feeling of déjà vu, but he dismissed it. She chuckled and poked him on his side playfully.
"There will be plenty of time for that later, after the show. We have the rest of our lives together." She stood and moved away from the bed. He felt an ache in his chest, a memory resurfacing. As she moved away she began to gather some things and place them in her purse. He fought for something to say, anything to bring her back to him.
"Come back and lie down for a few minutes. You'll feel refreshed after a 10 minute nap." He smiled at her, patting the a spot next to him on the bed. She turned, a seductive smile on her face.
"This sounds like a trap…" She chuckled as she slowly walked back to the bed.
"I'll be good, I promise." She sighed and rolled her eyes, still smiling at him. Satine sat down on the bed and laid back, lifting her legs onto the bed, the long gathering of her skirt spilling off the side.
"Only 10 minutes, then I have to get ready." She turned to look at him. He nodded his head and pretended to go to sleep, snoring softly. He felt her move closer to him, the heat from her skin warming him. She drew her fingers over his forehead, brushing away a stray lock of hair. Her fingers slid down his face and over his lips.
"Sleep quickly my love, then come back to me." Christian opened his eyes, knowing he had heard her tell him that before. Why couldn't he remember? He lay still, running his hands through her hair. The minutes came and went, Satine was up, shuffling about the apartment. Christian felt that if she left, he would never see her again. He stood, catching her around the waist.
"Run away with me, let's just leave." He whispered in her ear.
"In time remember. But now I have to find my other shoe. You'll have a front row seat waiting for you. The play starts in three hours…" Satine wiggled away from him, finding her shoe. She kissed Christian on the cheek as she moved towards the door. Opening it she turned, gazing at him lovingly. "You'll come? Tonight?" Christian smiled back at her.
"Of course I will. Front row seat…" Satine blew him a kiss and closed the door behind her. Christian listened to her footsteps fade, his foreboding feeling getting darker. He moved to the window and watched Satine cross the street and enter the Moulin Rouge, cross the courtyard and enter the Elephant. She crossed her room and moved to the window, looking across at him. She waved and he waved back smiling. He moved away from the window, deciding to go get flowers for opening night, and try to keep his mind off of the dark thoughts it kept producing.
Christian returned to his flat an hour later, his arms full of roses, and his pockets empty. He would have to think about getting some kind of job. He chuckled setting down the roses on the bed, looking over at his typewriter. He seemed to already have a job. He could try to rewrite some of his plays and sell them, or write new ones, infused with the love he felt. He began to dress for the evening, pulling a white shirt from the closet. He searched for his top hat, then remembered placing it in his satchel so it would keep from getting crushed or dirty. Lifting the bag off of the high shelf in his closet, he opened the bag lifting out the hat. He set the hat on the bed and dropped the satchel on the floor, hearing a thump from inside the bag as it hit. Christian's déjà vu returned, along with the nagging fears he had been trying to push away. He knelt down and opened the bag as it sat on the floor, reaching his hand in cautiously. feeling along the bottom, his fingers found something cool to the touch and very small. He lifted out a silver ring with a red stone in the middle. His eyes grew wide, recognizing the ring. He remained perfectly still, waiting for the dizziness, the black out, but nothing happened. He stood, holding the ring as if it would bite him. Looking around the room, nothing had changed, he was still in 1899. Christian let out a long sigh, setting the ring down on his table. He continued to dress for the evening, and when he was ready to go, he picked up the ring and placed it in his pocket.
"Maybe the ring belongs here too." He thought as he left his flat, his arms full of roses.
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The first act had gone off without a hitch, there wasn't an empty seat in the Moulin Rouge and already people were saying that Satine would be the next Sarah Bernhardt. Christian sat in the front row, proud with the fact that the leading lady was his love. He was looking at the program for the second act, when he heard someone calling his name softly.
"Chrissssstian!" Toulouse was off stage to Christians left, trying to get his attention. "Chrissstian!!" Christian spotted him and stood, confused as to why he was needed. Satine had left him a note along with his ticket, telling him how nervous she really was and that she wanted him to wait until after the performance to see her. He walked over to Toulouse ready to congratulate him on the role he was playing. But Toulouse's face reflected concern.
"What's wrong?" Christian asked as they stepped backstage.
"We can't find her, do you know where she is?" Toulouse was wringing her hands, some of the other actors had gathered around.
"What do you mean? Who can't you find?" Christian touched his friends shoulder, his own waved of fear threatening to shatter his calm exterior.
"Satine. She told us all that she was nervous about the second set and that she wanted to be alone. But here we are, 5 minutes to the curtain rising and…she's not here." Toulouse whispered the last statement, his eyes worried. Christian felt ill, and time seemed to slow down. He saw everyone look behind him as he heard shouting, yelling, panic was surrounding them all. He was trying to turn, to hear the word being repeated over and over, but it was if he was trapped in a dream, unable to move.
"FIRE!" Was that it? Fire? Christian saw people pass him by, running out into the audience. Toulouse grabbed him arm and pulled him out…out of the dance hall, into the courtyard, where he saw the fire, orange and red, licking up the wooded beams of the gothic tower.
"Christian!" He heard his name being screamed, barely audible. "Help! Please!! Christian!" It was Satine. Christian suddenly moved into time with everyone else and began running towards the tower entrance.
"NO! Christian come back!" Toulouse tried to stop him, but Christian was already inside, rushing up the staircase, the heat becoming more intense. He reached the top door, struggling to regain his breath. He burst through the doors and saw flames crawling up the walls and burning through the furniture.
"Satine!! Where are you???" Christian shouted through the smoke. He could hear coughing as he moved further into the burning room.
"Christian!!" Christian turned to see Satine tied up, sitting on the floor. He raced over to her and knelt down, untying her hands and feet.
"Are you all right? Who did this?" Satine froze, looking behind Christian. Christian heard a cough and turned around. The Duke was standing, pointing a gun at the both of them.
"She's mine boy," He snarled, "If she wants to leave this place, I will decide how she goes!" Christian stood calmly and walked towards the Duke.
"We all need to leave, this place will kill us if we don't leave now." Christian moved closer still, never taking his eyes off the Duke's face.
"We aren't going anywhere." The Duke pointed the gun at Christian's head, cocking it. Christian continued to move forward, knowing that if he didn't get the gun away from the Duke soon, they wouldn't have a chance to leave. The Duke took aim.
"Nooo!! Christian Stop!!" Satine screamed, now standing, watching from a few feet away. The Duke glared at her, long enough to give Christian his chance.
"Say goodbye to your penniless poet my…" Christian lunged, knocking the Duke off of his feet and causing the gun to scratch it's way across the floor. Christian punched the Duke repeatedly until he stopped struggling. He looked down at the Duke, anger etched across his face.
"This woman is yours no longer, she belongs to no one, not even me, only to herself." Christian stood, turning for Satine. She ran over to him and they exited the room, not looking back. The rushed down the staircase, part of which had begun to burn. Upon entering the night air they both collapsed, gasping for breath. A crowd gathered around them, helping them up, offering water. Toulouse hugged Christian.
"You saved her life, but how did you know where she was?" He asked him quietly. Christian smiled weakly.
"Her heart told me where she was, it sang to me." Toulouse looked at Christian with tears in his eyes.
"I believe you." They embraced again and separated as Christian felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Satine. She collapsed into his arms, crying into his shoulder. He held her tightly as he looked up at the tower, which was close to collapsing. He reached into his pocket and felt for the ring he had brought. He felt it, and a piece of paper. His last franc, he thought. He really was penniless. He looked into Satine's eyes and smiled. He would never be penniless if he had her love. He held up the ring to her.
"No pressures, no promises, just know that I will always be here for you." Satine took the ring, a smile spreading across her face.
"You said, up there, that I belong to no one." Satine looked up at him. Christian nodded yes. "Then I am free to give myself to anyone I wish?" Christian smiled, moving toward her. "I am yours Christian, in every way." She kissed him softly, then whispered in his ear. "Can we fly away? I have a dream of helping others, helping the children of Paris…" Christian took a step backwards to look into her face. "It sounds perfect. And I'll be your first supporter." She was beaming, looking down at the ring, placing it on her finger, already knowing it would fit perfectly. She smiled up at him. Someone behind them gasped, pointing to the tower entrance. It must be ready to go, thought Christian, gazing at Satine. He reached into his pocket for the franc, ready to give her everything he had. He pulled out a slip of paper. More people were shouting now, looking at the Gothic Tower, but all Christian could see was the love in front of him. He chuckled, looking down at the paper, opening it slowly. He must have spent everything on those flowers. His smile faded as he read the words on the paper. It was a receipt from the antique shop where he had purchased all of his things. He felt dizzy, the shouting was all muffled now. He looked up at Satine, panic was on her face, she was looking beyond him. He slowly turned, his vision darkening. The Duke was coming towards him, the gun in his hand. He was shouting out something. Christian saw someone racing towards the Duke, ready to tackle him. But they wouldn't be quick enough. A shot fired, and Christian fell backwards, into the arms of Satine. He saw the slip of paper he had been holding fly before his face as he landed on the ground, his head in Satine's lap. He could barely make out her features, he struggled to breath, everything was spinning.
"Christian? Please no…Christian! Come back to me!! Come back!!" Christian could hear Satine's voice, but he couldn't find his own. He drifted down further into the dark. feeling like he was falling. Satine held him as he died in her arms, crying out his name, promising to never love another. The crowd let her mourn, moving away from the scene. Police had arrived and were taking the Duke away as he still shouted for Satine, yelling that she would always be his. Satine pushed away his words, looking down at Christian's still body. She leaned down and kissed his forehead.
"Thank you my love," She whispered to him, for only him. "I will forever be yours. And someday I will come back to you." Satine sat up, tracing his face with her hand, then stood, allowing them to take him away. She knew that she would be able to face her future, because he would always be with her. She looked down at the ring on her finger, smiling. She would live on, and help others so that they would have a better chance at feeling the love she knew. She turned to look at the crowd, carrying Christian's body away, further and further from her.
"Come what may, I will love you…" She sang softly, tears rolling down her cheeks, "Forever."
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Christian woke suddenly, sitting up, gasping for air. Rubbing his eyes, he realized what had happened. He had returned once again. Tears ran from his eyes, his heart aching for Satine. He somehow knew that he wouldn't be able to return to her, that he would never see her like that again. He sat in the room until dawn, playing his memories of her over and over. The red sun began to shine in his eyes, and he stood, moving to the window, looking out at a modern street, a modern Moulin Rouge. He moved back into the room, closing his eyes. He could almost picture it the way it was, almost hear her voice, the laughter.
"Come what may, I will love you…" He opened his eyes, smiling, peaceful. "Forever."
Christian awoke startled, not knowing where he was momentarily. The he turned and saw Satine by his side. The smile returned to Christian's face immediately, all the memories rushing back to him. He turned on his side and laid down again to watch her sleep. Her red hair silhouetted her face, her breathing deep and slow. He softly traced her lips with his finger. Satine suddenly slapped his hand away and sat up, looking around. She looked at him and began to giggle, rubbing her mouth with her hand. Christian was pretending to pout, rubbing his hand.
"Was that you?" She began to laugh loudly. "I thought it was a spider or something, it was such a light tickle." She took his injured hand in her own and brought it to her lips. "I'm sorry, did I hurt you?" She kissed his hand almost as lightly as he had touched her lips. Christian sat up, still pouting.
"In your rapid attack your hand caught me here too…" Christian pointed to his cheek, half smiling. Satine giggled, leaning over to kiss his cheek. As she began to pull away, Christian whimpered. Satine laughed and looked at him.
"Anywhere else?" She said slyly. Christian nodded yes and pointed to his lips. She leaned towards him, her delicate kiss lasting only seconds. She moved out of his grasp before he could pull her back into bed.
"I should get dressed, and then you should take me to breakfast…I'm starving!" Satine moved behind her dressing screen after blowing a kiss to Christian. Christian flopped back down onto the bed.
"Or I could go get you breakfast and come back here. We could spend the day in bed, talking." Christian smiled to himself.
"And risk being called away for an emergency rehearsal? Never." Satine stepped out into the room wearing only her undergarments. She had her corset on, laced only half way up the back. She turned to him and smiled over her shoulder. "Some help sir?" Christian stood and walked over to her, almost too afraid that he'd make the laces too tight. He took the ribbons in his fingers and threaded them through. Satine told him if it needed to be tighter or more loose. As he finished he slid his fingers over her soft back along the seams. He leaned forward and kissed her shoulder, his hands circling her waist. Satine giggled and pushed him away, returning to her dressing area.
"Anything else you need help with?" He called after her, turning to put his shoes on.
"Not at the moment, but later…" Satine spoke low, seductively, peeking around the screen. "perhaps…" Christian blushed at the tone in her voice as he bent over to tie his shoes. He began to put on his jacket, but decided he'd look silly walking around in a tux all day. Moments later, Satine walked out into the room, a long lavender dress wrapped around her delicate frame. She twirled in front of Christian, smiling gloriously.
"Do you like?" Christian nodded, moving towards her, his arms wrapping around her waist.
"Very much." He looked into her eyes, feeling so lucky to be holding her. He kissed her once, twice…Satine sighed and wrapped her arms around Christian, vowing to never let him go.
"Let's fly away" She whispered in his ear. Christian nodded and let her lead him out. They carefully crept through the courtyard, not wanting to be seen. When they had reached the street, Satine twirled around for joy. She led Christian to a bakery where they ordered fresh bread for breakfast. They walked for most of the morning, out of Montmartre and into Paris. Stopping for lunch at a café, they watched the world pass them by as they held hands and talked. The couple moved into the park after they had finished their lunch, finding the shade of a tree to sit under. Satine leaning against the trunk as Christian sat across from her, gazing at her face. They spoke of art and music, the wonderful day and the opening of the play. Christian had worried at the start of the day that he might slip and talk about something from the future, but he found it easy to forget about it completely. He was where he belonged, where he needed to be. As the sun began it's decent, Satine and Christian linked arms and took a carriage ride back to Monmartre. Satine asked to see Christians flat and he reluctantly agreed, admitting it wasn't much. She insisted though, so he led her through the lobby and up the stairs. The walked through the hall, holding hands, whispering to each other. Approaching the door, Christian saw a note.
"Another woman?" Satine giggled as Christian picked up the paper. He reached out to tickle her and she backed away, chuckling. He opened the note, reading it aloud.
"We are having supper on the roof if you care to join - Toulouse." Christian felt instantly guilty for missing the party. Satine noticed the change in his mood and ran her hand down his arm.
"We will join them tomorrow, they will understand." She leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. Christian smiled softly, nodding in agreement. He opened his room, letting her in. The sinking sun cast warm red shadows on the wall, making the room look as if on fire. She walked to his bed, setting her purse down. Christian closed the door softly and watched her move from the bed, to the chair, touching it's soft velvet, then to the window. She looked out at the Moulin Rouge, over to her elephant. Christian moved up behind her, wrapping his arms around her. She moved her arms around his, holding him tightly to her. She looked up at the sky, the colors moving across the clouds. Smiling she turned, looking into Christian's eyes.
"I love this view, looking in instead of looking out. Thank you for a wonderful day." Christian smiled back at her.
"Thank you, it was your idea! I wanted to spend all day in bed remember?" Satine smiled slyly at him.
"I'm sure that would've been just as wonderful." She turned again, leaning back onto him, sighing contently. "Anytime that I'm with you will be wonderful."
"Then I'll be by your side forever." Christian whispered into her ear as the last rays of the sun slid behind the buildings.
Satine turned and kissed him deeply, her arms holding him tight. He chuckled as he picked her up, kissing her still. He set her down softly at the foot of the bed, his fingers already working at the buttons on the back of her dress. She moaned her approval softly as she kissed his cheek, his ear, her own fingers undoing the buttons on his shirt. Christian sucked in his breath sharply as Satine slid her hands along his chest, moving the shirt off his shoulders and onto the floor. She kissed him harder now, her tongue playing with his. Her hands slid down, reaching the waistband of his pants. He growled, frustrated with the little buttons on her dress. He pulled away from her, the fire behind his eyes burning into Satine. He whirled her around as she laughed and he began to undo her buttons with more ease. As he finished, Satine began to turn towards him, but he held her fast. He slowly slid the dress off of he shoulders, his fingers moving over her skin so lightly that she shivered. He kissed her back as the dress fell down the floor. Satine tried in vain to turn again, but Christian's fingers hooked into her petticoat and slid them down until they fell. He moved his hands lazily back up her legs, over her hips, up her sides and around to the laces on her corset. Satine bit her lip, holding back a moan.
"I hope this is easier to get off that it was to put on." Christian chuckled, untying the bow he had made earlier.
"I promise," Satine answered, shivering again. "It will be much easier." With only a few pulls the corset was undone. Christian drew his hand down the newly exposed skin, soft and warm. Satine shook, his touch like electricity.
"Are you cold?" Christian asked, concerned. Satine turned, letting the corset drop between them. She stood, with only her lower body still sparsely covered, and smiled at Christian's expression. He was like no other, making her feel so beautiful. She knew that she was the only one he would ever need, and he would be the same for her. She stepped forward, closing the small space between them, her hand undoing his pants and sliding them down.
"I'm sure I won't be cold much longer." Satine spoke, her voice nervous, she felt like this was the first time, there had never been anyone else. Christian pulled her close, kissing her, his passions taking over. They moved onto the bed and into each others arms, the world vanishing around them.
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"Satine…" Christian rolled over onto his back, feeling the emptiness of the room as he woke. "Satine?" Christian sat up in bed, relieved that he was still in his flat. He looked down where Satine should have been, but saw only a note in her place. He unfolded it, looking down at the fancy, feminine writing.
"My heart used to ache every hour of every day. But now that I have found you, the pain has gone away." Christian's eyes became damp as he traced his finger over the words she had written. They were almost the same as he had first seen…he stopped himself, not daring to even think of the future, or as it was, his past now. " I stole your idea and have gone to get breakfast so that we can be in bed until the opening tonight. I love you. Satine." Opening night? Had that much time past? Christian grew worried, a dark cloud moving over his memories. He knew something happened tonight other than the premiere, something terrible, but he couldn't remember. But perhaps that was ok, he was not supposed to change the past, so it was alright that he couldn't remember. He told himself he would be cautious tonight, keeping alert and that seemed to calm his fears a little. Christian could hear someone approaching his room and his thoughts shifted back to Satine. He slid quietly off the bed, wrapping a blanket around his body. He stood in front of the door, dropping the blanket, standing naked, waiting for Satine to open the door. The handle turned and the door creaked open.
"Christian? Oh MY!" Toulouse blushed as he turned around, Christian scrambling for his blanket. He heard Satine's laughter from out in the hall and he dove into his closet, searching for a pair of trousers.
"Sorry my love, I invited Toulouse to breakfast," Satine announced as she walked in, setting some bread and jam on the table, "I told him how sorry you were that we missed his dinner last night, but I didn't think you'd be…um…up so soon." Christian walked out of the closet, wearing a pair of slacks, his shirt buttoned up wrong. Toulouse still stood out in the hall, waiting for a signal that everything was ok. Satine motioned for him to come in as she walked over to Christian, undoing his buttons and re-buttoning them correctly. Christian was a deep shade of red.
"Sorry Toulouse…I uh…well I obviously didn't think it was you!" Satine chuckled as Christian blurted out his apology. Toulouse had busied himself by cutting the bread. He didn't look up at Christian as he replied, trying not to burst out in laughter.
"Quite all right Christian, Quite all right."
Breakfast continued, Toulouse's friends joining them. The subject turned to the upcoming opening of the play, how excited they all were to be apart of history. Satine simply smiled and sat close to Christian, her hand moving from his leg to his hand, squeezing his fingers occasionally. The group of Bohemians invited Satine and Christian out for the afternoon but Satine answered quickly.
"I was promised a day of relaxation and seclusion. I'm not letting you ruin that." She moved her hand back to Christian's knee. Christian only smiled and nodded in agreement. Toulouse's smile widened as he looked at the two lovers, so happy. He stood and began to push his friends out of the room, insisting that they needed to hurry. He said good bye and winked as he closed the door, leaving Christian and Satine alone. Satine began to laugh as she stood, moving to the window.
"What were you thinking earlier? Greeting me like that?" Christian stood and moved towards her, blushing slightly.
"I wanted to surprise you. I think I succeeded." Satine laughed loudly as she began backing away from him.
"Yes you did…" Christian suddenly reached for her and she slipped away, laughing as he chased her around the small apartment. "…You probably took 10 years off of Toulouse's life too…" Satine shouted, grabbing a pillow, swinging it at Christian. He grabbed the other, missing her shoulder with his lunge. They knocked each other with the pillows until feathers filled the air and Christian managed to grab Satine's away from her. He pulled her close, kissing her deeply, the feathers falling on their bodies. The kiss broke and they stared into each others eyes, smiling and chuckling, regaining their breath.
"I guess we know what we will be doing the rest of the day." Satine raised her eyebrows, waiting for the answer. "Filling up my pillows!" Christian said in mock anger. Satine tried to copy the expression on his face, scrunching hers in to a contorted anger. Christian tried to hold back laughter as she continued to change her face. He loved her completely, there were no doubts in his mind. He reached for her face, smoothing out the lines and funny wrinkles. Satine chuckled as she relaxed her face, closing her eyes, relishing the feel of his touch.
"Marry me" Christian spoke softly. Satine's eyes flew open, a shocked look on her face.
"Oh Christian, please don't ask me now…not now." She turned away from him, walking out onto the landing that overlooked the street below. Christian let her go, following after her moments later. He lightly touched her shoulders with his hands, running them down her arms.
"I'm sorry, It just felt right to ask." Christian's voice was steady, but he was hurt that she hadn't given him the answer he had expected.
"It's just…I am still getting used to us, the suddenness of our meeting, the way I am entirely," Satine turned to look at him, "completely in love with you. But have faith in that love for now please, and ask me again? After we have been "us" awhile longer?" She leaned forward kissing him on his nose. Christian chuckled, embracing her tightly.
"I will ask again and again, as often or as little as you want. As long as I have your love, until the end of time." Satine hugged him back, a tear running down her cheek.
"You do Christian," She whispered, "until my dying day."
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The rest of the day passed slowly, they picked up the apartment, read to each other, danced, talked. Christian lay on the bed, reading, drifting off to sleep, as Satine sat at the window, drawing a woman down below. She had once been a performer at the Moulin Rouge, but as she became older, she was no longer needed. She now called the sidewalk her home, Satine had always been aware of her there. As she sketched the rags that the old woman wore she wondered how many young girls would be lured in by the promise of a warm meal only to be turned out years later. She should do something, her and Christian could come up with a way to help the innocents from all that pain. Wanting to shake the emotion welling up, she looked at the overhang of the window. There was a small silver hook there, a perfect place to hang her birdcage.
"Christian, don't you think…" But all she heard was a soft snore. She stood, looking at her love, sleeping with a book across his chest. She moved to the table where his watch lay and looked at the time. Soon she would have to go and get ready for the play, soon…
She walked over tot eh bed and sat down next to him.
"Christian…come on silly, wake up…It's almost time to go and you decide to take a nap?" A soft voice called him from sleep, a warm hand sliding down his cheek.
"Christian…my love…wake up." Christian smiled and slowly opened his eyes. Satine was sitting before him, her eyes looking into his. She giggled and leaned down, kissing his lips. He responded by kissing her back, wishing for a thousand more. His hands moved to hold her, sliding up her back, playing with her hair. The kiss deepened, her scent filled his lungs and he never wanted to let go. She was the one to release him and sit up.
"You keep kissing me like that and we'll miss opening night." She told him breathlessly.
"Wouldn't bother me." He answered, unsure of his voice. He was having a strange feeling of déjà vu, but he dismissed it. She chuckled and poked him on his side playfully.
"There will be plenty of time for that later, after the show. We have the rest of our lives together." She stood and moved away from the bed. He felt an ache in his chest, a memory resurfacing. As she moved away she began to gather some things and place them in her purse. He fought for something to say, anything to bring her back to him.
"Come back and lie down for a few minutes. You'll feel refreshed after a 10 minute nap." He smiled at her, patting the a spot next to him on the bed. She turned, a seductive smile on her face.
"This sounds like a trap…" She chuckled as she slowly walked back to the bed.
"I'll be good, I promise." She sighed and rolled her eyes, still smiling at him. Satine sat down on the bed and laid back, lifting her legs onto the bed, the long gathering of her skirt spilling off the side.
"Only 10 minutes, then I have to get ready." She turned to look at him. He nodded his head and pretended to go to sleep, snoring softly. He felt her move closer to him, the heat from her skin warming him. She drew her fingers over his forehead, brushing away a stray lock of hair. Her fingers slid down his face and over his lips.
"Sleep quickly my love, then come back to me." Christian opened his eyes, knowing he had heard her tell him that before. Why couldn't he remember? He lay still, running his hands through her hair. The minutes came and went, Satine was up, shuffling about the apartment. Christian felt that if she left, he would never see her again. He stood, catching her around the waist.
"Run away with me, let's just leave." He whispered in her ear.
"In time remember. But now I have to find my other shoe. You'll have a front row seat waiting for you. The play starts in three hours…" Satine wiggled away from him, finding her shoe. She kissed Christian on the cheek as she moved towards the door. Opening it she turned, gazing at him lovingly. "You'll come? Tonight?" Christian smiled back at her.
"Of course I will. Front row seat…" Satine blew him a kiss and closed the door behind her. Christian listened to her footsteps fade, his foreboding feeling getting darker. He moved to the window and watched Satine cross the street and enter the Moulin Rouge, cross the courtyard and enter the Elephant. She crossed her room and moved to the window, looking across at him. She waved and he waved back smiling. He moved away from the window, deciding to go get flowers for opening night, and try to keep his mind off of the dark thoughts it kept producing.
Christian returned to his flat an hour later, his arms full of roses, and his pockets empty. He would have to think about getting some kind of job. He chuckled setting down the roses on the bed, looking over at his typewriter. He seemed to already have a job. He could try to rewrite some of his plays and sell them, or write new ones, infused with the love he felt. He began to dress for the evening, pulling a white shirt from the closet. He searched for his top hat, then remembered placing it in his satchel so it would keep from getting crushed or dirty. Lifting the bag off of the high shelf in his closet, he opened the bag lifting out the hat. He set the hat on the bed and dropped the satchel on the floor, hearing a thump from inside the bag as it hit. Christian's déjà vu returned, along with the nagging fears he had been trying to push away. He knelt down and opened the bag as it sat on the floor, reaching his hand in cautiously. feeling along the bottom, his fingers found something cool to the touch and very small. He lifted out a silver ring with a red stone in the middle. His eyes grew wide, recognizing the ring. He remained perfectly still, waiting for the dizziness, the black out, but nothing happened. He stood, holding the ring as if it would bite him. Looking around the room, nothing had changed, he was still in 1899. Christian let out a long sigh, setting the ring down on his table. He continued to dress for the evening, and when he was ready to go, he picked up the ring and placed it in his pocket.
"Maybe the ring belongs here too." He thought as he left his flat, his arms full of roses.
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The first act had gone off without a hitch, there wasn't an empty seat in the Moulin Rouge and already people were saying that Satine would be the next Sarah Bernhardt. Christian sat in the front row, proud with the fact that the leading lady was his love. He was looking at the program for the second act, when he heard someone calling his name softly.
"Chrissssstian!" Toulouse was off stage to Christians left, trying to get his attention. "Chrissstian!!" Christian spotted him and stood, confused as to why he was needed. Satine had left him a note along with his ticket, telling him how nervous she really was and that she wanted him to wait until after the performance to see her. He walked over to Toulouse ready to congratulate him on the role he was playing. But Toulouse's face reflected concern.
"What's wrong?" Christian asked as they stepped backstage.
"We can't find her, do you know where she is?" Toulouse was wringing her hands, some of the other actors had gathered around.
"What do you mean? Who can't you find?" Christian touched his friends shoulder, his own waved of fear threatening to shatter his calm exterior.
"Satine. She told us all that she was nervous about the second set and that she wanted to be alone. But here we are, 5 minutes to the curtain rising and…she's not here." Toulouse whispered the last statement, his eyes worried. Christian felt ill, and time seemed to slow down. He saw everyone look behind him as he heard shouting, yelling, panic was surrounding them all. He was trying to turn, to hear the word being repeated over and over, but it was if he was trapped in a dream, unable to move.
"FIRE!" Was that it? Fire? Christian saw people pass him by, running out into the audience. Toulouse grabbed him arm and pulled him out…out of the dance hall, into the courtyard, where he saw the fire, orange and red, licking up the wooded beams of the gothic tower.
"Christian!" He heard his name being screamed, barely audible. "Help! Please!! Christian!" It was Satine. Christian suddenly moved into time with everyone else and began running towards the tower entrance.
"NO! Christian come back!" Toulouse tried to stop him, but Christian was already inside, rushing up the staircase, the heat becoming more intense. He reached the top door, struggling to regain his breath. He burst through the doors and saw flames crawling up the walls and burning through the furniture.
"Satine!! Where are you???" Christian shouted through the smoke. He could hear coughing as he moved further into the burning room.
"Christian!!" Christian turned to see Satine tied up, sitting on the floor. He raced over to her and knelt down, untying her hands and feet.
"Are you all right? Who did this?" Satine froze, looking behind Christian. Christian heard a cough and turned around. The Duke was standing, pointing a gun at the both of them.
"She's mine boy," He snarled, "If she wants to leave this place, I will decide how she goes!" Christian stood calmly and walked towards the Duke.
"We all need to leave, this place will kill us if we don't leave now." Christian moved closer still, never taking his eyes off the Duke's face.
"We aren't going anywhere." The Duke pointed the gun at Christian's head, cocking it. Christian continued to move forward, knowing that if he didn't get the gun away from the Duke soon, they wouldn't have a chance to leave. The Duke took aim.
"Nooo!! Christian Stop!!" Satine screamed, now standing, watching from a few feet away. The Duke glared at her, long enough to give Christian his chance.
"Say goodbye to your penniless poet my…" Christian lunged, knocking the Duke off of his feet and causing the gun to scratch it's way across the floor. Christian punched the Duke repeatedly until he stopped struggling. He looked down at the Duke, anger etched across his face.
"This woman is yours no longer, she belongs to no one, not even me, only to herself." Christian stood, turning for Satine. She ran over to him and they exited the room, not looking back. The rushed down the staircase, part of which had begun to burn. Upon entering the night air they both collapsed, gasping for breath. A crowd gathered around them, helping them up, offering water. Toulouse hugged Christian.
"You saved her life, but how did you know where she was?" He asked him quietly. Christian smiled weakly.
"Her heart told me where she was, it sang to me." Toulouse looked at Christian with tears in his eyes.
"I believe you." They embraced again and separated as Christian felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Satine. She collapsed into his arms, crying into his shoulder. He held her tightly as he looked up at the tower, which was close to collapsing. He reached into his pocket and felt for the ring he had brought. He felt it, and a piece of paper. His last franc, he thought. He really was penniless. He looked into Satine's eyes and smiled. He would never be penniless if he had her love. He held up the ring to her.
"No pressures, no promises, just know that I will always be here for you." Satine took the ring, a smile spreading across her face.
"You said, up there, that I belong to no one." Satine looked up at him. Christian nodded yes. "Then I am free to give myself to anyone I wish?" Christian smiled, moving toward her. "I am yours Christian, in every way." She kissed him softly, then whispered in his ear. "Can we fly away? I have a dream of helping others, helping the children of Paris…" Christian took a step backwards to look into her face. "It sounds perfect. And I'll be your first supporter." She was beaming, looking down at the ring, placing it on her finger, already knowing it would fit perfectly. She smiled up at him. Someone behind them gasped, pointing to the tower entrance. It must be ready to go, thought Christian, gazing at Satine. He reached into his pocket for the franc, ready to give her everything he had. He pulled out a slip of paper. More people were shouting now, looking at the Gothic Tower, but all Christian could see was the love in front of him. He chuckled, looking down at the paper, opening it slowly. He must have spent everything on those flowers. His smile faded as he read the words on the paper. It was a receipt from the antique shop where he had purchased all of his things. He felt dizzy, the shouting was all muffled now. He looked up at Satine, panic was on her face, she was looking beyond him. He slowly turned, his vision darkening. The Duke was coming towards him, the gun in his hand. He was shouting out something. Christian saw someone racing towards the Duke, ready to tackle him. But they wouldn't be quick enough. A shot fired, and Christian fell backwards, into the arms of Satine. He saw the slip of paper he had been holding fly before his face as he landed on the ground, his head in Satine's lap. He could barely make out her features, he struggled to breath, everything was spinning.
"Christian? Please no…Christian! Come back to me!! Come back!!" Christian could hear Satine's voice, but he couldn't find his own. He drifted down further into the dark. feeling like he was falling. Satine held him as he died in her arms, crying out his name, promising to never love another. The crowd let her mourn, moving away from the scene. Police had arrived and were taking the Duke away as he still shouted for Satine, yelling that she would always be his. Satine pushed away his words, looking down at Christian's still body. She leaned down and kissed his forehead.
"Thank you my love," She whispered to him, for only him. "I will forever be yours. And someday I will come back to you." Satine sat up, tracing his face with her hand, then stood, allowing them to take him away. She knew that she would be able to face her future, because he would always be with her. She looked down at the ring on her finger, smiling. She would live on, and help others so that they would have a better chance at feeling the love she knew. She turned to look at the crowd, carrying Christian's body away, further and further from her.
"Come what may, I will love you…" She sang softly, tears rolling down her cheeks, "Forever."
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Christian woke suddenly, sitting up, gasping for air. Rubbing his eyes, he realized what had happened. He had returned once again. Tears ran from his eyes, his heart aching for Satine. He somehow knew that he wouldn't be able to return to her, that he would never see her like that again. He sat in the room until dawn, playing his memories of her over and over. The red sun began to shine in his eyes, and he stood, moving to the window, looking out at a modern street, a modern Moulin Rouge. He moved back into the room, closing his eyes. He could almost picture it the way it was, almost hear her voice, the laughter.
"Come what may, I will love you…" He opened his eyes, smiling, peaceful. "Forever."